Orlando Pirates midfielder Sifiso Myeni still can't believe how he got out of the career-threatening tackle by Thulani Hlatshwayo last month without any broken bones.
"After the game [against Bidvest Wits] I watched the tackle close to 30 times and I could not understand how I got out of it without breaking anything," a fit-again Myeni said yesterday after training ahead of the first leg of Pirates' CAF Confederation Cup final against Tunisian club Etoile du Sahel on Saturday.
Myeni revealed that his doctor said he was lucky to get out of a tackle that could have kept him out for months or even ended his career - such was the force and recklessness in the challenge from Wits captain Hlatshwayo.
"When it happened I was screaming so much because I could not feel my leg. I thought I would have a second major surgery in my career.
"Even the doctor watched it and when he got the X-ray he said I was lucky. They were scared that I had broken the leg in two pieces, where it was going to be difficult for me to come back or even play football again.
"There was a ligament torn, but it was not torn on the bone. I walked with crutches and a moon boot.
"All in all God was with me because I don't think anyone would have come out of that tackle."
He added: "I played 20 minutes against Wits [in a friendly] and it felt good. My rehab was pretty good and I have been doing well at training. I thought I would only be back after the final."
Myeni is unlikely to start on Saturday, but there's a chance he'll play.
"I spoke to the technical team and said if they feel I am not ready, I am not ready. There are other players who can do the job.
"If we are on top of our game, nobody can stop us."
Myeni counts lucky stars
Orlando Pirates midfielder Sifiso Myeni still can't believe how he got out of the career-threatening tackle by Thulani Hlatshwayo last month without any broken bones.
"After the game [against Bidvest Wits] I watched the tackle close to 30 times and I could not understand how I got out of it without breaking anything," a fit-again Myeni said yesterday after training ahead of the first leg of Pirates' CAF Confederation Cup final against Tunisian club Etoile du Sahel on Saturday.
Myeni revealed that his doctor said he was lucky to get out of a tackle that could have kept him out for months or even ended his career - such was the force and recklessness in the challenge from Wits captain Hlatshwayo.
"When it happened I was screaming so much because I could not feel my leg. I thought I would have a second major surgery in my career.
"Even the doctor watched it and when he got the X-ray he said I was lucky. They were scared that I had broken the leg in two pieces, where it was going to be difficult for me to come back or even play football again.
"There was a ligament torn, but it was not torn on the bone. I walked with crutches and a moon boot.
"All in all God was with me because I don't think anyone would have come out of that tackle."
He added: "I played 20 minutes against Wits [in a friendly] and it felt good. My rehab was pretty good and I have been doing well at training. I thought I would only be back after the final."
Myeni is unlikely to start on Saturday, but there's a chance he'll play.
"I spoke to the technical team and said if they feel I am not ready, I am not ready. There are other players who can do the job.
"If we are on top of our game, nobody can stop us."
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